Elton John made his Gainbridge Fieldhouse concert a little special by opening up about the people who saved his life.
On Friday, John told his fans a heartwarming story about how he remains alive years after facing health issues. According to the legendary singer, an AIDS victim and his family helped him finally get sober.
"I knew that my lifestyle was crazy and out of order. And six months later, I got sober and clean and have been ever since," John said, as quoted by WTHR.
The "That's What Friends Are For" hitmaker met Ryan White and his family. White was only 13 years old when he contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion when he was receiving his treatment due to hemophilia.
Unfortunately, five years later, he died at the age of 18.
In the years leading to White's death, John and more high-profile celebrities assisted the young man and his family.
John then told the concert crowd that White's family caused him to push himself to change. According to the singer, he could not thank them enough because, without them, he would probably be dead already.
Elton John Dedicates Special Song for Ryan White, Family
WTHR 13INsideTrack host Laura Steele shared a clip of John's concert on Twitter, confirming that White's family attended the event.
"Elton John credits Ryan White's family for saving his life after White of Indiana passed away from AIDS in 1990. Elton remains close with the White family & gives a shout out to Ryan's mom Jeanne in attendance tonight at Elton John in Indianapolis," the caption said.
John can be heard saying his words of gratitude to the family for everything they have done for him. To express his feelings even more, the singer began playing his 1974 hit song, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," and dedicated it to White's family.
It was not the first time he spoke up about nearly dying due to his behavior.
In 2012, he revealed to the attendees of the International Aids Conference in Washington DC that he almost lost his life to the dreaded illness like his friends Freddie Mercury and Rock Hudson. John revealed that his behavior put him at high risk.
White and Mercury's deaths inspired him to launch the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in the US in 1992 and the UK the following year.
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